Western Connecticut State - 51, Farmingdale State - 36
Danbury, Conn. - Host school Western Connecticut State claimed the Hat City Classic with a 51-36 victory over the Farmingdale State women's basketball team in Saturday's Championship game. The Rams fell to 4-8 on the season, while the Colonials improved to 8-2.
In a low scoring first half, Western Connecticut led 6-4 and used a 14-4 run to extend their advantage to 20-8 with 3:56 remaining. After a Marlaina Sherman (Miller Place, N.Y.) jumper cut the Rams deficit to 20-10, the Colonials closed the half on a 5-2 run to take a 25-12 lead into the break. Farmingdale State was held to 24% shooting, while the Colonials were 34% from the field in the first half.
Western Connecticut scored the first 10 points of the second half to take their largest lead of the game at 35-12. Farmingdale State answered with a 17-2 run which saw eight points from junior guard Andrea Desvignes (Deer Park, N.Y.) and seven by senior guard Nicole Lanteri (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) to cut the deficit to 37-29 with 11:25 remaining.
Leading 39-31, six straight Western Connecticut points brought their lead back to double-digits with less than eight minutes remaining.
Farmingdale State was held to only five points over the final 7:01 as the Colonials earned the 51-36 victory.
Desvignes, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, led the way with 10 points and four steals for the Rams.
Western Connecticut senior guard Caroline Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds as she was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Sophomore guard Emily Dobson (Westerly, R.I.) scored a game-high 16 points, while freshman guard Kaitlyn LaBonte (South Windsor, Conn.) pitched in with 12 points.
Farmingdale State next will host #3 Amherst in a non-conference game on Tuesday, January 6th at 4:00 p.m.
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